Retainer for use in the door latch assembly of a household appliance

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a retainer for use in a household appliance which comprises: a main body; a striker which is engaged to the main body; and a door which has a latch for engaging/disengaging the striker upon closing/opening of the door. In the household appliance of the present invention the main body has one or more snap-in holes, and the striker has one or more snap-in hooks for releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole. Furthermore, the retainer is provided with one or more blocking members each for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-in hook relative to the respective snap-in hole and an attachment means for detachably attaching each blocking member to the main body.

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular toa laundry dryer, a laundry washer or a dishwasher. The present inventionmore particularly relates to the door latch assembly of the householdappliance.

Household appliances such as laundry dryers, laundry washers anddishwashers are commonly known in the art. These household applianceseach comprise a door latch assembly which includes a latch and astriker. The striker is generally fixed to the main body oralternatively to the door whereas the latch is accordingly disposed ontothe door or alternatively to the main body. The latch engages/disengagesthe striker as the door is closed/opened by the user. A common problemwith these prior art household appliances is that the striker may becomeloosened from its place due to excessive mechanical stress, forinstance, as a result of frequent opening and closing of the door. Insuch incidents, the door cannot be properly closed, and thus the usersreport the failure to the customer service. Consequently, the usersatisfaction decreases. Therefore, it is generally important that thestriker is securely retained in place.

US 2014/0265378 A1 discloses a prior art household appliance which has alatch (cf. locking protrusion) and a striker (cf. locker). In thishousehold appliance the striker is fixed to the door by means of screws.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a retainer for usein the door latch assembly of a household appliance which solves theaforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way andwhich enables an improved production and assemblage.

This objective has been achieved by the retainer as defined in claim 1,and the household appliance as defined in claim 9. Further achievementshave been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in thedependent claims.

In the household appliance of the present invention, the main body hasone or more snap-in holes, and the striker has one or more snap-in hooksfor releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole.

The retainer of the present invention comprises: one or more blockingmembers each for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-inhook relative to the respective snap-in hole; and an attachment meansfor detachably attaching each blocking member to the main body.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtueof snap-in holes and the snap-in hooks, the striker can be easilyengaged to the main body. Thereby, the production and assemblage of thestriker has been improved, and the overall cost has been comparativelyreduced both in labor and material. Another major advantageous effect ofthe present invention is that by virtue of the blocking members, thestriker can be securely retained in place. Thereby, the risk that thestriker becomes loosened from the main body has been eliminated orreduced as much as possible. Thereby, the user satisfaction can beimproved.

In an embodiment, the striker has two snap-in hooks. This embodiment isparticularly advantageous as the striker can be rendered symmetrical,and thus the assemblage can be expedited. In a version of thisembodiment, the sloping surfaces of the snap-in hooks are arranged to beturned away from each other. And the snap-in hooks flex towards eachother when being snapped into the respective snap-in holes. In thisversion of the embodiment, the retainer has two blocking members whichare located between the two snap-in hooks, and block sideways movementof the two snap-in hooks towards each other. During the assembly of thehousehold appliance, after the striker is snapped in place, the retaineris attached to the main body. Thereby, the sideway movements of thesnap-in hooks are blocked. In an alternative version of this embodiment,the sloping surfaces of the snap-in hooks are arranged to face eachother. And the snap-in hooks flex away from each other when beingsnapped into the respective snap-in holes. In this version of theembodiment, the retainer has two blocking members which are respectivelylocated to the left and to the right of the two snap-in hooks and blocksideways movements of the two snap-in hooks away from each other.

In another embodiment, the snap-in hooks are supported by the retainerfrom below through respective lower abutments. This embodiment isparticularly advantageous as a firm connection can be establishedbetween the retainer and the striker, and thus any clearance can beremoved.

In alternative embodiments, the retainer may be attached to the mainbody through various different type of connections. For instance, theretainer may be attached to the main body by a snap connection, aninterlocking connection, a clamping connection, a screw connection.Other type of connections known to those skilled in the art can bealternately used. In another alternative embodiment, the attachmentmeans comprises two snap-in claws which releasably engage with therespective snap-in apertures on the main body. This embodiment isparticularly advantageous as the retainer can be quickly assembled withthe main body.

In general, a household appliance in particular a dishwasher may beprovided as a free standing type appliance or a built-in type appliance.Therefore, in another embodiment, the retainer is further adapted foruse with a free-standing type household appliance, in particular a freestanding dishwasher which has a cover plate for covering at least partof the upper surface of the appliance. In this embodiment, the retainerhas an upper abutment which abuts against the cover plate from below. Ina version of this embodiment, the retainer abuts against the frontsection of the cover plate from below. These embodiments areparticularly advantageous as the cover pate can be prevented frombending downwards, and thus a reduction in the quality of the householdappliance can be prevented. In another embodiment, the retainer isfurther adapted for use with a built-in type household appliance, inparticular a built-in type dishwasher, wherein the cover plate isomitted. In this embodiment, the upper abutment of the retainer is alsoomitted.

In another embodiment, the retainer is single piece which is preferablymade from a resilient plastic material. This embodiment is particularlyadvantageous as the number of parts can be further reduced. The retainermay be manufactured through a moulding process.

In another embodiment, the striker has a stop which abuts onto theperiphery of a mounting passage in the main body. This embodiment isparticularly advantageous as the stop prevents the retainer fromreceiving mechanical stress.

In another embodiment, the striker and the retainer are both attached toa cross beam of the main body. This embodiment is particularlyadvantageous as the cross beam is easily accessible when the cover plateis removed.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the retainerand the household appliance according to the present invention willbecome more apparent with the detailed description of the embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1—is a schematic perspective view of a retainer according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2—is a schematic partial perspective view of a built-in typedishwasher which has the retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3—is a schematic partial sectional view of the dishwasher of FIG.2;

FIG. 4—is a schematic partial top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5—is a schematic perspective view of a retainer according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6—is another schematic perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7—is another schematic perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8—is another schematic side view of the retainer of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9—is another schematic side view of the retainer of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10—is a schematic partial sectional view of a free-standingdishwasher which has the retainer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11—is a schematic partial top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 10,wherein the cover plate has been omitted.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the followingtechnical features.

-   -   1. Retainer    -   2. Dishwasher    -   3. Main body    -   4. Snap-in hole    -   5. Striker    -   6. Snap-in hook    -   7. Blocking member    -   8. Attachment means    -   9. Abutment    -   10. Snap-in aperture    -   11. Snap-in claw    -   12. Cover plate    -   13. Abutment    -   14. Base    -   15. Latching hole    -   16. Mounting passage    -   17. Stop    -   18. Cross member    -   19. Tub

The retainer (1) is suitable for use in a household appliance (2) inparticular a dishwasher (2). The household appliance (2) comprises amain body (3), a striker (5) which is engaged to the main body (5) and adoor (not shown) which has a latch (not shown) for engaging/disengagingthe striker (5) upon closing/opening of the door.

In the household appliance (2) of the present invention the main body(3) has one or more snap-in holes (4), and the striker (5) has one ormore snap-in hooks (6) for releasably engaging with the respectivesnap-in hole (4).

The retainer (1) of the present invention comprises: one or moreblocking members (7) each for blocking sideways movement of therespective snap-in hook (6) relative to the respective snap-in hole (4);and an attachment means (8) for detachably attaching each blockingmember (7) to the main body (3).

In an embodiment, the striker (5) has two snap-in hooks (6) which areadapted to temporarily flex towards each other when being snapped intothe respective snap-in holes (4). In this embodiment, the retainer (1)comprises two blocking members (7) which are located, in the attachedstate, between the two snap-in hooks (6) and adapted to block sidewaysmovement of the two snap-in hooks (6) towards each other.

In another embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises two lower abutments(9) each for abutting against the respective snap-in hook (6) frombelow.

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has two snap-in apertures (10).In this embodiment, the attachment means (8) comprises two snap-in claws(11) each for releasably engaging with the snap-in apertures (10).

In another embodiment, the household appliance (2) has a cover plate(12) for covering at least part of the upper surface of the appliance(2). In this embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises an upper abutment(13) for abutting against the cover plate (12) from below (FIGS. 5 to11).

In another embodiment, the upper abutment (13) is further adapted toabut against the front section of the cover plate (12) from below.

In another embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises a base (14) whichsupports the blocking members (7) and the attachment means (8) and alsothe lower abutments (9). In this embodiment, the upper abutment (13)extends upwards from the base (14).

In another embodiment, the retainer (1) is moulded from a resilientplastic material as a single piece.

In another embodiment, the striker (5) has a latching hole (15) forreleasably engaging with the latch.

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has a mounting passage (16) forreceiving the striker (5). In this embodiment, the striker (5) has astop (17) which abuts onto the periphery of the mounting passage (16) soas to prevent inward movement of the striker (5).

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has a cross member (18). Inthis embodiment, the snap-in holes (4) and the snap-in apertures (10)and also the mounting passage (16) are formed into the cross beam (18).

In another embodiment, the household appliance (1) is provided as adishwasher (2). The dishwasher (2) comprises a tub (19). The door ispivotably disposed onto the main body (3) so as to open/close the tub(19).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtueof snap-in holes (4) and the snap-in hooks (6), the striker (5) can beeasily engaged to the main body (3). Thereby, the production andassemblage of the striker (5) has been improved, and the overall costhas been comparatively reduced both in labor and material. Another majoradvantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of theblocking members (7), the striker (5) can be reliably retained in place.Thereby, the risk that the striker (5) becomes loosened from the mainbody (3) has been eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby,the user satisfaction can be improved. Other advantageous effects of thepresent invention can be taken from the aforementioned embodiments.

1. A retainer for use in a household appliance, in particular adishwasher comprising: a main body which has one or more snap-in holes;a striker which has one or more snap-in hooks each for releasablyengaging with the respective snap-in hole; and a door which has a latchfor engaging/disengaging the striker upon closing/opening of the door,the retainer being characterized in that one or more blocking memberseach for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-in hookrelative to the respective snap-in hole and an attachment means fordetachably attaching each blocking member to the main body.
 2. Theretainer according to claim 1, wherein the striker has two snap-in hookswhich are adapted to temporarily flex towards each other when beingsnapped into the respective snap-in holes, and the retainer beingcharacterized in that two blocking members which are located, in theattached state, between the two snap-in hooks and adapted to blocksideways movement of the two snap-in hooks towards each other.
 3. Theretainer according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more lowerabutments each for abutting against the respective snap-in hook frombelow.
 4. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein the main body hasone or more snap-in apertures, the retainer being characterized in thatthe attachment means comprises one or more snap-in claws each forreleasably engaging with respective the snap-in apertures.
 5. Theretainer according to claim 1, wherein the household appliance has acover plate for covering at least part of the upper surface of theappliance, the retainer being characterized in that one or more upperabutments each for abutting against the cover plate from below.
 6. Theretainer according to claim 5, characterized in that one or more upperabutments are each further adapted to abut against the front section ofthe cover plate from below.
 7. The retainer according to claim 6,characterized in that a base which supports the blocking members and theattachment means, wherein the upper abutments extends upwards from thebase.
 8. The retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that theretainer is moulded from a resilient plastic material as a single piece.9. A household appliance, in particular a dishwasher comprising a mainbody, a striker which is engaged to the main body and a door which has alatch for engaging/disengaging the striker upon closing/opening of thedoor, the household appliance being characterized in that the retaineras defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has one or more snap-inholes, and wherein the striker has one or more snap-in hooks forreleasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole.
 10. The householdappliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the striker has alatching hole for releasably engaging with the latch.
 11. The householdappliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the main body hasa mounting passage for receiving the striker, wherein the striker has astop which abuts onto the periphery of the mounting passage so as toprevent inward movement of the striker.
 12. The household applianceaccording to claim 11, characterized in that the main body has a crossmember, wherein the snap-in holes and the snap-in apertures and themounting passage are formed into the cross beam.
 13. The householdappliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the householdappliance is provided as a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher comprisesa tub, and wherein the door is disposed onto the main body so as toopen/close the tub.